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Life
Don’t Let the Long Holiday Weekend Become a Drag.
Please Pass the Cold Turkey.
Well the weather outside is frightful. It’s winter time. It’s cold. And, that also means it’s time for an endless stream of holiday parties and family gatherings. At this time of the year well-intentioned people can be both trying and exhausting. But, that doesn’t mean it’s time to not include anyone or ignore them once you are with them. Simply stated, you shouldn’t “give the cold shoulder.” Or, should you? A few hundred years ago maybe you should have. The origin of the phrase gives dual meanings.
Meaning: A rude way of telling someone he isn’t welcome or to ignore someone
History: Although giving someone the cold shoulder is considered rude today, it was actually regarded as a polite gesture in medieval England. After a feast, the host would let his guests know it was time to leave by giving them a cold piece of meat from the shoulder of beef, mutton, or pork.
Holy cow, who knew? Cold beef, mutton, or pork doesn’t sound so bad after all. Of course if you were shown the door for all of the wrong reasons perhaps it was indeed past time to leave. Did you drink more cold beers than any one human should? If so a few aspirin in the morning will get you to the next soiree. But, after too many holiday parties it may be time to, well, dry out some? If you want to go to the extreme perhaps you “quit cold turkey.” Cold turkey means that you have dead stopped doing something that you used to do with great regularity. Why is a sudden behavioral change described that way?
Meaning: To quit something abruptly
History: People believed that during withdrawal, the skin of drug addicts became translucent, hard to the touch, and covered with goose bumps – like the skin of a plucked turkey.
History: People believed that during withdrawal, the skin of drug addicts became translucent, hard to the touch, and covered with goose bumps – like the skin of a plucked turkey.
Cold adult beverages, cold shoulders, cold turkey, and cold nights make for a long winter. ‘Tis the season.
Enjoy the Weekend. Here is Monday’s Forecast.
What’s in a Name?
Surely you have been told that you must tell the truth or you will suffer the consequences? But did you know that the first tv game show was named Truth or Consequences? It aired first as a radio show in 1940 and later was on tv and in syndication until the mid 1960’s. Oh, and surely you have heard of Hot Springs, New Mexico? No? Well, if you were born after 1950 you probably have not. Why? It’s because Hot Springs, NM officially changed its name to Truth or Consequences, NM in 1950.
Originally named Hot Springs, the city changed its name to “Truth or Consequences”, the title of the popular program. In March 1950, Ralph Edwards, the host of the then tv quiz show Truth or Consequences, announced that he would air the program on its 10th anniversary from the first town that renamed itself after the show. Hot Springs won the honor, officially changing its name on March 31, 1950 (the program broadcast from there the following evening, April 1). Edwards visited the town during the first weekend of May for the next 50 years. This event was called “Fiesta” and included a beauty contest, a parade, and a stage show. The city still celebrates Fiesta each year during the first weekend of May.
Truth or Consequences, NM is far from the only town that has an odd name derived from odd origins. Why would towns name themselves such a thing? Below are a few more for you to ponder. We begin, actually, with a town named Why.
Why, Arizona
Why, oh why, is this town called Why? It’s said to be because State Routes 85 and 86 formed a Y-intersection near the area. Since Arizona law required city names to have at least three letters, the founders changed the name from “Y” to “Why”—although if residents hadn’t seen it written down, no one would have known the difference.
No Name, Colorado
This is one of many funny town names that aren’t really names at all. Credit for the town’s unusual name goes to the developers constructing Interstate 70, who left several exits unmarked. When a Colorado Department of Transportation official went out to improve the signs, he wrote “No Name” on Exit 119. The town has had No Name ever since. State officials once tried to rename the area, but locals wouldn’t allow it.
Embarrass, Minnesota
The township gets its name from the French word “embarras,” which means “an obstacle or difficult situation.” When French explorers first traveled through the area, they had trouble getting their canoes down the river, so they named the river (and, eventually, the town) accordingly. See? Nothing to be embarrassed about here.
Hot Coffee, Mississippi
One inn owner, L.J. Davis, advertised that he made the best hot coffee around—and it very well could have been. Davis made the coffee with pure spring water and New Orleans beans, and he used molasses drippings as sweetener. People loved it so much that they named the town after it.
We’ll have five more funky names to ponder soon. Until then enjoy some Hot Coffee wondering Why No Name would Embarrass itself so. At least it’s the Truth, hence there are no Consequences.
Abby Took Down Vegas-The Epilogue
Year one for Abby’s weekly column is now in the dog house till fall. However, she will certainly show her head for a bowl game or two along the way when something gets her attention.
College football picking isn’t easy. The smart money in Vegas (called the Sharps) focuses on a narrow window of analytics and doesn’t stray (Abby doesn’t like strays either). If the betting line doesn’t meet their tight standards window they punt.
Abby takes a broader view when making her choices. This can be more difficult. That’s why it’s important for her to risk various amounts (bones) to weight average the risk.
For her inaugural journey she won 22 bets, lost 23, and tied one against the Vegas lines. Importantly, she won 59 of 108 bones wagered. That is a win percentage of 55%. Each bone is $11 to win $10. Thus, she finished plus $51 dollars on the year. It’s won’t shut down The Strip, but it will afford a better grade of dog food than Kibbles & Bits.
Perhaps her hunch bets should have been part of the bones wagered. The hunch bet finished year one with nine great wins versus only one loss. I have a hunch that she won’t be able to repeat that best of show performance next year.
She is wishing some
of her favorite mascots a happy holiday and a win in their bowl games. Abby hopes that you enjoy the early bowl games too.
Woof!
Boom Boom’s Life Lessons #10
One of the many gifts that Boom Boom gave us was the torrent of quips about how one leads one’s life. He could say so much by saying so little. A statement at just the right moment resonated in my young, eager eardrums. How I interpreted or applied it was up to me. No more words were spoken because no more words were needed. Today we share a tough one and it’s quickly our 10th.
In the spring semester of eighth grade the PA announcement was music to my ears. JV and Varsity baseball tryouts would begin that Friday afternoon and continue on that Saturday morning. His years of hard work with me had reached a pivot point.
The ninth and tenth grade competition would be tough. I was confident however. I had been running, hitting, fielding, and pitching for weeks prior. I was pumped. Perhaps secretly so was he.
After Friday about a dozen were told thanks but no. After Saturday’s practice the herd was thinned again, and I was one of 18. Fifteen would be kept. So far so good. Coach had settled me into first base more than anything else. The competition there wasn’t too strong if you asked me. As I hopped into the Jetstar 88 for the ride home I wanted to compare myself to others. He didn’t. “Did you do your best?” I said yes. “That’s all that you can ask of yourself,” he assured me. “Do your best everyday!” “That’s what you can control.”
Monday, coach approached after practice. I got the bad news. As I hopped in for the drive home my face told the story. Silence filled the car. After a few minutes, Boom Boom asked, “Did you do your best?” I didn’t want to hear that at that moment. “But, I was better than David.” He didn’t want to hear that at that moment. He asked again. I finally mumbled a weak “yes.” “That’s all anyone can ask son. Do your best! And let the chips fall where they may.”
Next spring’s tryout was but 362 days away.
I Have Yet Another Story and a Moral Thereof
In the seasons leading up to and in the seasons after Tom Dempsey’s miracle kick there were plenty of other home Saints games that Boom Boom and I attended. There were seven a year(14 game seasons) in fact, and nine including preseason games.
We went to all of them, and I mean all of them. And we got there early and always stayed till the (often bitter) end. And, I mean we got there early. The gates opened at 10 AM for noon kickoffs. We were in the car by 9:40 latest. It wasn’t uncommon for us to arrive by 10:00 AM. Why? Well, for one, we beat the traffic. We got a great parking spot too. We always parked a mile away in a high school lot. We always had the first spot closest to the exit.
I never asked why we got there so early, but it sure seemed fine to me. Once I counted seven fans sitting on their old Tulane Stadium wooden bench seats in the entire 84,000 seat capacity stadium. Seven. And that count included the two of us. Back then you could bring most anything in to the stadium. We brought sandwiches, a canned soft drink for me, a thermos of coffee, and a flask of what dad called “snake bite medicine.” There was something calming and exciting at the same time about sitting there, eating an early lunch, and chatting about the upcoming NFL football with dad.
Just about the time the sandwich was gone a few Saints would trickle out of the locker room. This always included Tom Dempsey or the kickers that competed before and after him. I would run from where ever our seats were to the end zone. My goal was to catch one of the warm up field goal attempts that soared into the bench seats one after the other and then throw it back. There were no nets back then. I wasn’t alone. The competition for a youngster was taller and older. And, the football flew high, far, and fast. I never caught one. I did get my fingers on one once. I actually dislocated a finger in fact. It looked crooked and hurt much. Around the stadium I went. Dad gave it one good pull in spite of my protestations and it was back in place. I started to ask if the “snake bite medicine” might soothe the pain. Then I thought it better not to.
On one particular sunny Sunday morning we departed, as always, on time for the game. I was looking forward to the sandwich, the chat, the opportunity to finally catch a ball, and the kickoff. Surely this was the week that the Saints would break their losing streak. After parking and walking we approached the ticket taker at our gate. Boom Boom rooted around in his coat pocket (a sport coat and a tie were standard attire then) then his pants pockets. His eyes got bigger with each empty pocket. “Son, I think I forgot the tickets.” “What do we do, Daddy?” “Let’s run back home and get them,” he said. His voice tone spoke volumes of the disappointment in himself. “But, we will miss the kickoff,” I selfishly said. “Maybe not” came the retort.
From the entrance we spun our heels and walked the mile back to the car. Like salmon we wove our way back home. Mom, being mom, heard the car and ambled outside worried about our arrival.
“What’s wrong?” Boom Boom slowed down to a jog while passing her. It was just long enough to admit that he forgot the tickets.
“Get back in. Let’s go.” And off we went. Traffic had built, but not too badly. Boom Boom had slipped the attendant a couple of bucks to save our parking spot.
One mile of brisk walk later we were in the stadium and headed to our seats. We sat down for only a minute or so before we were asked to stand up as Al Hirt blasted the national anthem through his seasoned trumpet.
As the brass horn hit the last notes Boom Boom lamented, “Son, that’s the latest that I’ve ever arrived for any game. We almost missed the Star Spangled Banner.” “ We made it before kickoff, Dad.” “You never want to be late for anything,” he said. Hmm.
By the end of the third quarter the Saints had done plenty enough wrong to insure another loss was well in hand. We stayed until the final seconds though. We always did. Always.
During the game and then on the walk back to the car I thought about asking him why being in our seats before the Anthem was so important. Then I thought it better not to.
“Thanks for taking me to the game Dad,” I chose instead. “You bet,” came the quick reply.
So, what’s the moral of the story? If you’re not early, you’re late. And, don’t ask why.
Embrace Family. Avoid Bullets.
When times are tough have you ever suggested that it was time to circle the wagons? Or, maybe it got tough enough that you needed to rally the troops? But, when the going gets really tough it might be time to gather the family. Who can you count on more than family? After all, “blood is thicker than water,” isn’t it? What though is the origin of that phrase?
Meaning: Family comes before everything else
History: In ancient Middle Eastern culture, blood rituals between men symbolized bonds that were far greater than those of family. The saying also has to do with “blood brothers,” because warriors who symbolically shared the blood they shed in battle together were said to have stronger bonds than biological brothers.
Blood is indeed thicker than water. But, unfortunately, when actual blood flows from one’s body it certainly can create an emergency. Emergencies require prompt action. Prompt action might have to be taken on the spot. This situation might be so difficult that you might need to “bite the bullet.” Why bite on a bullet?
Meaning: Accepting something difficult or unpleasant
History: There was no time to administer anesthesia before emergency surgery during battle. The surgeon made patients bite down on a bullet in an attempt to distract them from the pain.
Blood is thicker than water. But, too much of it and you might need to bite the bullet. Your family sure hopes not.
Abby Roux Takes Down Vegas Part X
College football’s conference championship week is upon us. Rivalry week has come and gone. It was a good one. And it was a long one. It was acutely long if you tuned into the 4 hour and 53 minute and 7 overtime Texas A&M victory over LSU. That marathon was won by the slimmest of margins. It also turned a promising start by Abby into the slimmest margin of defeat. A very slim 1/2 point stood between her pawing out a win vs. taking a loss in that game and the week.
She heads into this weekend with a 20-21-1 won/loss record. She remains on the high side having buried 54 of an even 100 bones. The hunch bet stands at eight strong wins v. only one loss! Championship week has several big dog v. big chalk games. Abby normally likes big dogs but some look like runts of the litter to her. Careful.
Washington -5 v. Utah – Washington won this matchup in week four 21-7. After a mid-season slide it seems like the Huskies might be peeking and playing up to their preseason expectations. Utah has nine wins this year but none against ranked teams. 
Plus Abby likes Huskies. Two bones.
Oklahoma -8 v. Texas- Texas won this matchup in a week six thriller 48-45. Oklahoma has a playoff berth on the line. Abby thinks Oklahoma wins and somehow gets a stop or two with their porous D and covers by just a few. Three bones.
Alabama -13.5 v Georgia- Bama has beaten everyone senseless by 20 or more this year. Why would this game be any different? Well, Georgia is basically at home. But, Bama will travel big. Georgia has the athletes to stay in it. Regardless, Bama wins and covers by a few in their toughest test this year. One bone.
Under 61.5 Michigan Ohio St v Northwestern.- Ohio St. put their foot on the gas and mud stomped Michigan. Abby likes THE to win this one easily as well. But Northwestern plays decent D. If Oklahoma wins convincingly over Texas maybe OSU loses a bit of interest. Two bones.
On a hunch Abby likes under 77.5 in the Big 12 Oklahoma v Texas showdown. The first game totaled 93. The line seems like it’s begging you to take the over. Abby, as you know, thinks begging is unbecoming of pure breds.
Woof!
Pop Goes the Geography Quiz
Do you remember just a few (or many) years ago when your teacher spoke the nine most dreaded words you heard that day? “Today we are going to have a pop quiz.” Remember what your (printable) reaction was? Do “oh boy,” “jeez,” “gosh darn,” or even”dammit” or stronger come to mind?
Well it’s that time again unfortunately. We have but one geographical question for you. And it’s all centered around a tricky old world area. Are you ready?
What’s the difference between England, Great Britain, and the United Kingdom? Go ahead, admit it. You’ve used them interchangeably at times and may not have been entirely clear on what distinguishes one from the other from the other.
First the easy part. England is, well, England. England is a country that is part of Great Britain as well as the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west. England is separated from continental Europe by the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south. Think London, the queen, Big Ben, Wimbledon, and parliament.
It gets a bit trickier from here. Great Britain is the totality of the island mentioned above. So, England, Scotland, and Wales comprise Great Britain and share the aforementioned borders. With an area of 80,823 sq mi, it is the largest European island, and the ninth-largest island in the world. In 2011, Great Britain had a population of about 61 million people, making it the world’s third-most populous island after Java in Indonesia and Honshu in Japan.
And finally, The United Kingdom is the combination of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It’s been such since 1801. It’s often simply referred to as “The UK.” It’s actual name is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. No wonder it’s called “The UK.” The United Kingdom includes the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland and many smaller islands. It is a sovereign country unto itself. It’s estimated population is 66 million as of 2011.
The Union Jack flag (which actually combines the three 19th century designs from England, Scotland, and Ireland) is the official flag of the UK since 1801. Notably Wales is a part of the UK, but the flag was designed prior to its invasion and inclusion in the union.
You may be ready to wave the proverbial white flag after sorting through this.
Ready for the quiz now? Jeez.